avoid all tourist cars by hopping on the cable car. or the 30, 45, 41 or 91 bus. this is the place to tell someone something special or the place to declare to friends and family the commitment you two share. reservations are available with rec and park for this adorable

>> hello, i am with the recreation and parks department. we are featuring the romantic park location in your backyard. this is your chance to find your heart in santa and cisco with someone special. -- san francisco with someone

special. our first look out is here at buena vista park, a favorite with couples and dog walkers. both have a significant force. a refreshing retreat from urban life. the romantic past that meander up and down the park under pines and eucalyptus. hang out in this environment and you might see butterflies it, fennel, and then the lines. -- dandelions. is ada accessible. public transit is plentiful. we have conquered the steps, we

have watched the dogs, and we have enjoyed a beautiful view. this is a place to take someone special on a romantic stroll and enjoyed a beautiful look out. welcome to corona heights located in the heart of this district. it offers a view of the downtown skyline, the bay bridge, and the east bay. it is one of the best kept secrets in the city. it is hardly ever crowded. on any given day, you will run into a few locals. , bought a 37 bus to get there without any parking worries. for legged friends can run freely. there is also a patch of grass for the small box. >> it is a great place. it is a wonderful place to have these kinds of parks.

that dog owners appreciate it. >> take time to notice of the wildfires that are on the grassland and keep your head out on the lookout for hawks and other bird life. be sure to take your camera and be prepared to take a view of the city will not forget. it has a beautiful red rock formations. you could watch the sunrise over the bay. this is another one of our great lookouts. we are at mount davidson. 928 feet. this is the place for you to bring someone special. to not forget that dogs and enjoy all of the pathways and greenery that surrounds you. it provides a peaceful oasis of open space and great hiking

trails. the spectacular view offers a perfect place to watch the sunrise or sunset with someone you love. >> it is a good place to get away from the hectic life of the city. come up here and listen to nature, i get some fresh air. that view is fantastic. >> where sturdy shoes. hikers get the feeling of being in a rain forest. mount davidson is also a great place to escape the noise and the bustle of the city. take the 36 bus and it will drop you at the entrance. it is quite a hike to the top but the view is worth every step. this is the place to bring that someone special.

golden gate park's largest body of water is an enchanting place. is a popular spot for paddling around in boats, which can be rented. created in 1893, it was designed for these your boating -- for leisure boating. it is named for the wild strawberries that once flourished. there is also a waterfall, two bridges, and trails the climb to the summit, the highest point at more than four hundred feet. you can catch glimpses of the western side of the city that make this hilltop a romantic look out. for public transit, i take the n

train. the lad the ad -- lake is ada accessible. watch many ducks, swans, and siegel's. -- seagulls. it is a great place to stroll and sail away. many couples come here to take a ride around a lake, going under the bridges, passing the chinese pavilion and the waterfall. for a quiet getaway, making for a memorable and magical experience. located on 19th avenue, this growth is the place to where you're hiking boots, bring the family and the dog because it has so much to offer you and

your loved ones. it is a truly hidden gem in the city. the park is rich with eucalyptus trees. long paths allow you to meander, perfect for a dog walking in a wooded environment. >> i enjoy the history. the diversity of nature that exists in such an urban city, concrete streets, cars, we have this oasis of the natural environment. it reminds us of what the history was. >> there is a section for dogs and plenty of parking. transit is available on the 28 bus to get you very easily. the part is ada -- park is ada accessible. it is also a natural lake. this is your chance to stroll

around the lake and let the kids run free. it also has many birds to watch. it is a place to find and appreciate what you -- a wonderful breath of fresh air. come and experience in this park and enjoy the people, picnics, and sunshine. this is a lovely place to take a stroll with your loved ones. in the middle of pacific heights, on top of these hills, it offers a great square, a peaceful beauty, large trees and grass and greenery. it features tables and benches, a playground, restaurants, and tennis courts. there are plenty of areas for football and picnics. it is very much a couple's park.

there are many activities you can experience together. stroll on the pathways, bring your dog, or just picnic at one of the many tables and enjoy all that it has to offer together. many couples find this is a perfect park to throw down a blanket and soak up the sun. it is a majestic place that you can share with someone you chairs. lafayette park is also easily accessed from the 47, 49, and 90 buses. it is ada accessible. we are here at the historic palace of fine art in the marina district. originally built for the 1950's

exposition, the palace is situated on san francisco's number waterfront. it is ada accessible and is reached by the 28, 30, and 91 bus lines. set against the reflecting waters of the lagoon and eucalyptus trees, the palace is one of san francisco post most -- san francisco's most romantic spots to relax with that special someone while listening to the water and gazing at the swans. a beautiful to view from many locations along the mattoon, an ideal place to -- all -- lagoon, an ideal place to walk with a loved one. reservations for weddings are available at sfrecpark.org.

discarding contains plants referred to by william shakespeare's plays and poems. welcome to the shakespeare garden here in the famous golden gate park. located near the museum and the california academy of sciences, the garden was designed by the california spring blossom and wildfilower association. here is a truly enchanting and tranquil garden along a path behind a charming gate. this garden is the spot to woo your date. stroll around and appreciate its unique setting. the gorgeous brick walkway and a brick wall, the stone benches,

the rustic sundial. chaired the part -- share the bard's word hundred famous verses from a shakespearean plays. this is a gem to share with someone special. pack a picnic, find a bench, and enjoy the sunshine, and let the whimsical words of william shakespeare and floats you and your loved one away. this is one of the most popular wedding locations and is available for reservations. take a bus and have no parking worries. shakespeares' garden is ada accessible. located at the bottom of this hill, it is a secret garden with an infinite in captivating appeal. carefully tucked away, it makes

the top of our list for most intimate pyknic setting. avoid all taurus cars and hassles by taking a cable car. or the 30, 45, or 91 bus. the garden was designed by thomas church in 1957. grow old with me, the best is yet to be is inscribed on a sundial. it is anchored by twin white gazebos and flowers that bloom year-round. this is the place to tell someone special or the place to declare the commitment you two share. weddings and the event reservations are available for this adorable hidden gem.

we know there are many other romantic parks in san francisco. we hope you have enjoyed this torre of lookouts, picnics, and strolls that are available every day. until next time, do not forget to get out and play. for more information about reserving one of these romantic locations or any other location, call 831-5500. this number is best for special events, weddings, picnics, and the county fair buildings. or for any athletic field, call 831-5510. you can write us at -- or walk in and say hello.

and of course you can find more information moresfrecpark.org. --@@to the fifth annual awards here at san francisco city hall. thank you all so much for joining us here tonight. it is an honor to be here. my name is daniel homsby and i am the program manager for the neighborhood department networks. an honor to see you here. many of the same faces for the fifth year for the men awards. let's give you an a plays for coming back. (applause) >> and celebrating one of the most important things we have in san francisco, which is our neighborhoods.

without further ado, i'd like to start the program off by introducing my colleague, christina palone, the new director for the mayor's office for neighborhoods. christina palone. (applause) >> good evening, everyone. i'm happy to be a part of such a great ebit that celebrates the contributions made by residents and organizations throughout the city to make san francisco one of the greatest places to live. the mayor's office of neighborhood services also known as mons focuses on neighborhood outreach and engagement. it is an honor to be here with community leaders who are dedicated to the same principles and are positively changing our communities. the effect that one person can have in a community is truly inspiring. and it's that inspiration that drives each one of us to go out there and be a part of something bigger. i congratulate every award winner here tonight and let's not forget that every person here has the power to make a difference. i want to especially thank

daniel and his team for being such instrumental leaders here in city hall on behalf of all communities and neighborhoods in san francisco. with that said, welcome and enjoy tonight's event. (applause) >> thank you, christina. so, before we jump into the fire works, as you would say, let's take a few seconds here and just go over some of the elements of tonight's event. so, tonight we're going to be giving out 12 awards. for those of you that came to the first nen awards, you recall it finished about an hour ago. so, we've modified the format in the last two years. so, tonight what will happen is that tonight we will hear from the people that nominated the winners who will dive deep into talking about thighs illustrious individuals and organizations. and the individuals will receive the award. now, tonight the people that will be making remarks from this podium will be the people

receiving the hall of fame award and the lifetime achievement award. the balance of the individuals and organizations that will receive awards are going to be interviewed by our nen tv film crew in the north court during the reception. you can watch the interviews and how their feelings of joy and passion about receiving the awards and we will post all of them on the internet as well as hopefully make them available on s.f. government tv. you will have a chance to hear from the wins wynners. we're going to try to consolidate the program and do the second half in the reception. which brings up the fact once again we have the amazing st. john event doing our food in the north light court. so, at the conclusion of this evening's event we ask you all join us in the north light court to enjoy a wonderful selection of food and wine and drinks. i'd also like to take a moment, of course, and thank mayor lee for once again extending the invitation to host the event here as well at city hall as

well as our new city administrator naomi kelly who will be making remarks here promptly in a little bit. and thank them for their generous hospitality not only 230er this event but for this program because without their leadership and support the neighborhood department network would not exist. i'd also like to thank the folks at the city hall events team who every year make this event come together and make it a success. in addition, i'd like to also thank our sponsors. * once again, pg&e the fifth year in a row stepped up and become a major sponsor here for the neighborhood empowerment network. we have two new event sponsors this year. we have next door, which is a new online program here in san francisco, new neighborhood service which many of people in this room are using. you'll have more chance to hear from this if you advise the the life night court event. sterling bank, one of the great local banks we have here in san francisco. without further ado we'd like to begin tonight's program and we're going to start off with a message from mayor ed lee.

>> good evening, everyone, and welcome to the fifth annual neighborhood empowerment network awards. while i'm unable to attend this year's event, i want to express my deep appreciation to tonight's award recipients for the extraordinary work and service that they provide to our cities, neighborhoods every day. all of the award recipients share one common goal. and that is to ensure that san francisco continues to be the best place to live, visit, and do business. i am proud to be the mayor of a city where residents and civic leaders are partners and work together to tackle challenges and find innovative solutions to keep our neighborhoods world class. thank you for attending this important event, and thank you to the neighborhood empowerment network for your dedication and commitment to our neighborhoods. keep up the great work and have a wonderful evening here at the nen awards. (applause)

>> the first award we're going to be presenting tonight is an award that for many people is an award that is one of the top highlights of the event, and that is an opportunity to induct someone into the nen hall of fame. the hall of fame is an opportunity to take a moment and celebrate the lifetime of the contribution that an individual has made to our city and perhaps just seize the opportunity perhaps if they haven't been highlight and had elevated for that contribution here in city hall in the rotunda to do so. this year's nen hall of fame inductee is bernice. [speaker not understood] to talk more about her contributions to the city. jen? (applause)

>> hi, my name is jennifer banta and i am proud to nominate bernice beng to the nen hall of fame. bernice being was a visionary artist. she was born, raised, educated and worked in san francisco. * bing. she graduated from the first mfa class of the san francisco art institute in 1961. she was good friends with joan brown and jay de feo. shes what an integral part of the art scene in north beach. she was also part of the first argot lin artist's in residence program in 1967 and spent the better part of the '70s deeply devote today community arts and activism. she was part of the founding member of scrap, and she was involved with the neighborhood arts program during its insanction. -- inception. she went on to found the san francisco cultural arts center

and she is the first director. i am excited to share with you i'm working with the asian american women artists association and film maker madelein limb to bring you the documentary we're working on now about her life and work and it's going to premiere in june of 2013. thank you so much for this honor. it's long overdue. (applause) (applause) >> good evening. it's an honor to accept this award on behalf of the bernice

bing estate. thank you. (applause) ♪ ♪ ♪ >> again, congratulations. now we'd like to make a slight modification in our program this evening and we're going to be moving to the award for best merchant association of the year, the lower haight merchant association. i'd like to invite walking tours up and the mayor's office of economic development. our newest supervisor, supervisor london breed. let's give him a round of applause. (applause) ♪ ♪ >> hi, are you going to speak first or me?

>> you, please. >> hi, everybody. i'm so happy to be here to celebrate this -- what is it, the neighborhood empowerment network awards. this is like the fifth year that this has happened and i remember just about two years ago when the divisadero corridor received the same award. so, it is truly an honor to be here as the district 5 supervisor. the neighborhood i live in, to see many of the people i know, they're all sitting in the front row. i see you, joe, from john mere pierre from the meat store and pierre was front and center when that fire happened on walgreens on fillmore and haight and getting those people out. thea shelby who has been working really hard, one of the founders of the lower haight merchant and neighborhood associations. she has been a tireless advocate in this area for public safety. i'm so happy to see you here. devon, the new president and thea has served as the president for the past two years, and devon is now taking

over as the new president. and wing-wings, wing-wings, one of my favorite places. lisa is here from wing-wings, and dick, one of my favorite people from the lower haight, i am so happy to see you all here. i wanted to just come and congratulate. is there someone else here? oh, robert, hi, sweety. he's always there for you. he's amazing guy. and thank you all so much for being here. i'm just here as the supervisor, my first event to honor you, to support you, to thank you for not just being in the neighborhood, but really opening up your doors and caring about the neighborhood. caring about what happens to the people there, caring about what happens to the businesses, not just your own business, but all the businesses. i love the lower haight because it's like a family. it's a real community. it's an amazing place to eat. it's amazing place to shop. it's amazing place to be. and you are so deserving of this award.

and i couldn't be proud eras district 5 supervisor and also as a resident of the lower haight. so, thank you and congratulations on your award. and i'm just here to actually crash the event, to just say congratulations because you all are some of my favorite people in this district. thank you very much. (applause) >> can i leave or you want me to stay? >> oh, stay. supervisor breed, thank you so much for being here. it's always a pleasure and it is a great mesh tower stand on this stage with you in your new position as supervisor of district 5. it's a great honor always to be able to recognize the incredible work that is a.m. done by people throughout our city who really do the work once all of us from the city and our partners leave the stage, as it were, because as the supervisor mentioned, once we're gone, we need other people to pick it up and make sure our streets are active, that people feel safe, people feel comfortable. our next award recipient, the

lower hate and merchants neighborhood association is one of those incredible partners like so many of you here tonight that is truly deserving of this award. it was gibe ons, the head wig of the wig party in san francisco that nominated this organization. i would like to invite morgan to come up now and make a few remarks. * he's making sure san francisco remains san francisco. and, so, morgan, please come on up to the stage. (applause) >> thank you very much. my name is morgan fits gibbons. it is one of my favorite organizations here in the city. it is the third year in a row i'm nominated the winner. last year was divisadero corridor. that might help us get one of these awards in the future. what do you think, daniel? [laughter] >> this year we're proud to give the award for

world of bernice bing, a